An update on the footbridges

we are very nearly there…

Work to dismantle the temporary footbridge on Peronne Road is progressing well, and we are hoping to be completely finished and cleared up to reopen Peronne Road footbridge end of next week. Keep an eye on our social media channels – we will share an update as soon as it is open again.

We are almost ready to reopen the footbridge next to the railway, too. The surrounding area is very nearly complete, and the final step is allowing the Breedon gravel to fully cure and harden so the surface is safe for everyone to use. With the now somewhat drier conditions, we expect the area to be ready and the footbridge to reopen in around two weeks.

Thanks for bearing with us a little longer – we know it is an important route and appreciate your patience.

Path, platform and planting progress

Work has been progressing really well and our current focus is the area near the railway bridge. The photo says it all: the space is really taking shape, paths have now been laid, the new viewing platform is complete and hand railings are installed. The recently hydroseeded gabions along the causeway are already showing their first green sprouts. It is lovely to see this part of the scheme beginning to come to life.

You may remember our earlier moat improvement work. To the right of the image, you can see the section of reedbed that was carefully relocated. It is now settling in beautifully. By spring, this area should be well established and will play an important role in naturally filtering water entering the moat, helping to keep it clean and oxygenated. This will support a healthy habitat for the many creatures that call the moat home.

Spring clean underway

With the North Portsea Coastal Scheme heading for the finish line this summer, we are going back over some of our earlier phases to ensure everything is left spick and span and add a few more environmental enhancements while we are at it.

Starting on Monday 2 February (until Tuesday 31 March 2026), our teams will be out and about along Phase 3 at Tipner Lake, giving benches and other furniture a good clean and carrying out some small repairs. Think of it as a spring clean to keep everything looking fresh and welcoming.

There will not be any path closures, but you may spot a few small, temporary cordons while cleaning work is underway to keep everyone safe – and dry.

Path refresh at Anchorage Park

As part of linking up the final sections of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme, we are giving the coastal gravel paths at Phase 1 Anchorage Park, Phase 2 Milton Common, and Phase 3 Tipner a refresh. Ten years on from the initial completion of Anchorage Park, we are first enhancing the gravel path here so it matches the new surface being built along Ports Creek, creating a smooth and seamless connection.

What to expect and when:

From 9 February 2026 we will set up a small site compound within Anchorage Park (see map)
From 16 February 2026 sections of the path will begin to be fenced off in preparation for work.
From 23 February to 28 April 2026 the work on the footpath will take place and the path will be closed. During this period, a parking suspension will be in place on a section of Althorpe Drive to allow lorries to deliver materials to the site compound. Once deliveries are complete, the suspension will be lifted until the compound is demobilised, when transport will again be needed to collect the site materials.

There will be two teams working along this frontage: one progressing from west to east (starting at the railway bridge) and one from east to west (starting near Eastern Road). Completed sections will reopen as soon as they are ready to use. There will be a short period of up to two weeks where no visible works are taking place on the path; during this time, the new surface will be curing and hardening. Once this curing period is complete, the path will be reopened.
Between 1 and 8 May 2026 the compound will be removed and the area fully cleared.

We know path closures are inconvenient, but this work will help create a consistent, high‑quality route along the coast and ensure the 8km North Portsea Coastal Scheme is left in a good condition upon completion of this 11-year scheme. Thank you for your patience while we carry out these improvements.